Have you ever overwhelmed your schedule, almost beyond your limits?
Beyond the startling revelation there is nothing to do, what do you feel when you finally stop? Do you feel a deep sense of relief?
God created us to work hard. He knew we would get a deep sense of satisfaction from a job well-done.
He also created us to rest. (“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. Hebrews 4 :5-11)
He knew we would need rest. Not just physical rest, but emotional rest and spiritual rest as well. (You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3).
That’s why He created the Sabbath. Once every seven days, He knew the human body He had crafted would need a rest. (Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.) Exodus 20:8-10
We need to take a day without work, a day focused on worshiping God and spending time with Him.
He wants us to experience the joy of rest.
The time when we can just be. Focus on Him. Maybe put our feet up. Rest from the to-do list. Rest from the answering, the decision-making, the calculating.
Rest from the organizing, the balancing, and the cleaning.
He knows we know all those tasks can wait. And wait they will. They will be there when we are ready to accomplish them.
Do you struggle finding joy in rest? Do you believe everyone should rest, but it’s not for you? Because you just have too many things to do?
Only you and God can figure that out.
But if you’re wondering if you’re missing anything by not practicing a Sabbath, I would encourage you to give it a try.
I have learned over the decades, that when I follow God’s rules, everything that should get done, does. Somehow, some way. Not only do things get accomplished, but I feel refreshed and much less tired as well.
It’s like God somehow knows exactly what we need. (Maybe because He wrote the owner’s manual on our bodies and minds.)
If you struggle to find the joy in rest, here are three promises to cling to:
- The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
- Come, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
- Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest. Exodus 34:21
The last one tells us, even in the midst of vital work, we need to take a break. God goes with us. He knows what we need to do. He sees our circumstances. And He wants to give us rest. He gently invites us to bring our weary bodies and exhausted minds so we might find rest in Him.
Maybe, you too find it hard to slow down sometimes. He will gladly help us when we ask. Let’s ask Him for just that.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You know my propensity to overschedule and overwork. I need to learn to listen for Your list and to stop and rest, taking a Sabbath once a week. Thank You for Your promises that You go with me, You offer me rest and You tell me to rest no matter what I am doing. Thank you for rest. Please grow me to trust in You and that I can, in fact, should, take a rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.